초록 ▼

A package for holding multiple media discs includes a stack of disc-holding trays, and a flexible hinge member affixed to hinge edges of each tray, which secures the trays in relation to each other. The stack of trays may be mounted onto a panel of a folded jacket, or inserted into a sleeve. Further

A package for holding multiple media discs includes a stack of disc-holding trays, and a flexible hinge member affixed to hinge edges of each tray, which secures the trays in relation to each other. The stack of trays may be mounted onto a panel of a folded jacket, or inserted into a sleeve. Further described are fastening means for holding the package closed, and methods for manufacturing packages for holding multiple media discs.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A package for holding media discs, comprising: a stack of disc-holding trays, each tray in the stack having a central cavity that is shaped to closely receive a media disc and a hub shaped and positioned to closely fit within a media disc central spindle hole when the media disc is sea

We claim: 1. A package for holding media discs, comprising: a stack of disc-holding trays, each tray in the stack having a central cavity that is shaped to closely receive a media disc and a hub shaped and positioned to closely fit within a media disc central spindle hole when the media disc is seated in the cavity, each tray in the stack having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other, and a flexible hinge member affixed to the hinge edges, the flexible hinge member hinging the trays to each other at the hinge edges, the hinge member comprising a strip of material that is adhered to each disc-holding tray only at the tray's hinge edge, the package further including a jacket having a plurality of panels, the stack of trays being attached to only one of said plurality of panels, the package being closed by folding the jacket around the stack of trays. 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the jacket includes a front interior panel, a rear interior panel, and a spine, the stack of trays being mounted to the rear interior panel. 3. The package of claim 2, wherein the hinge edges and hinge member are proximate to the spine. 4. The package of claim 2, wherein the hinge edges and hinge member are distal from the spine. 5. The package of claim 2, wherein the hinge edges and hinge member are positioned in transverse relationship to the spine of the jacket. 6. The package of claim 2, wherein a bottom panel of the stack is mounted to the rear interior panel. 7. The package of claim 1, further including a slip case that closely fits around the stack of trays and jacket when they are folded into a closed configuration. 8. The package of claim 1 further including fastening means for holding the package closed. 9. The package of claim 1, wherein the jacket includes a plurality of panels that wrap around the stack of trays, the jacket further including a flap extending from a first panel that attaches to a second panel to hold the package closed. 10. The package of claim 9, further including a first fastening element mounted to the flap and a second, mating fastening element mounted to the second panel. 11. The package of claim 10, wherein the first and second fastening elements snap together. 12. The package of claim 10, wherein the first and second fastening elements comprise a hook-and-loop fastening system. 13. The package of claim 10, wherein the first and second fastening element composed magnets. 14. The package of claim 1, further including a band that fits closely around the package to hold it closed. 15. The package of claim 1, further including an elastic band that loops around opposite corners of the package to hold it closed. 16. A method for manufacturing a package having a jacket that includes a plurality of panels, comprising: (a) stacking a set of disc-holding trays, each tray in the stack having a central cavity that is shaped to closely receive a media disc and a hub shaped and positioned to closely fit within a media disc central spindle hole when the media disc is seated in the cavity, each tray in the stack having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other; (b) affixing a flexible hinge member to the hinge edges, the hinge member hinging the trays to each other at the hinge edges, the flexible hinge member comprising a strip of material that is adhered to each disc-holding tray only at the tray's hinge edge; and (c) attaching the jacket to the stack of trays by mounting only a single tray in the stack of trays onto only one of said plurality of panels of the jacket, the jacket folding around the stack of trays to close the package. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein step (c) includes mounting the stack of trays onto the interior panel of the jacket with the hinge edges and hinge member proximate to a spine of the jacket. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein step (c) includes mounting the stack of trays onto the interior panel of the jacket with the hinge edges and hinge member distal from a spine of the jacket. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein step (c) includes mounting a bottom tray in the stack to the interior panel of the jacket. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein step (c) includes providing fastening means for holding the package closed. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein in step (c) the jacket includes a plurality of panels that wrap around the stack of trays, the jacket further including a flap extending from a first panel that attaches to a second panel to hold the package closed. 22. The method of claim 16, further including: (d) fitting a band around the package to hold it closed. 23. The method of claim 16, further including: (d) looping an elastic band around opposite corners of the package to hold it closed. 24. A method for manufacturing a package, comprising: providing a plurality of disc-holding trays, each tray in the plurality of disc-holding trays having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other wherein a swath of flexible hinge material is affixed to the hinge edges, the hinge material hinging the trays to each other at the hinge edges; and providing a jacket having a plurality of panels; mounting one of said plurality of disc-holding trays to only one of said plurality of panels of said jacket, the package being closed by folding the jacket around the stack of trays. 25. A method for manufacturing a package including a jacket having a plurality of panels, comprising: (a) stacking a set of disc-holding trays, each tray in the stack having a hinge edge, the hinge edges being lined up with each other; (b) advancing the stack of disc-holding trays and causing hinge material to be affixed to the hinge edges one at a time in sequence, the hinge material comprising a flexible material that is adhered to each disc-holding tray only at the tray's hinge edge; (c) cutting the hinge material between the trays at regular intervals to produce hinge assemblies having a desired number of trays, each hinge assembly comprising a stack of disc-holding trays that are hingeably attached to each other by a strip of flexible material that is adhered only to the hinge edges of the trays in the stack; and (d) mounting each hinge assembly onto only one of said panels of a said jacket.